14 For thou art sent from the king, and his seven counsellors, to survey Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thy hand,

15 and to bring the silver and the gold which the king and his counselors had sacrificed to the God of Israel, whose dwelling place is in Jerusalem,

16 And all the silver and gold that thou shalt gather in all the province of Babylon, together with the willing gifts of the people and the priests, which they shall sacrifice for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem.

17 Therefore immediately with this money you shall buy oxen, rams, lambs, and meal offerings thereof, and drink offerings for them, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.

18 And whatever it pleases you and your brethren to make of the rest of the silver and gold, do according to the will of your God.

19 And the vessels which have been given to you for the services in the house of your God, you shall set before the God of Jerusalem.

20 And the other things that are necessary for the house of thy God, which thou wilt deem needful, thou shalt give out of the house of the king's treasures.

21 And from me, king Ahasuerus, a command is given to all the treasurers who are beyond the river: "Whatsoever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the law of the God of heaven, shall demand of you, ye shall give immediately:

22 Silver to a hundred talents, and wheat to a hundred cows, and wine to a hundred baths, and a hundred baths of oil, and salt without a quantity.

23 Все, что повелено Богом небесным, должно делаться со тщанием для дома Бога небесного; [смотрите, чтобы кто не простер руки на дом Бога небесного,] дабы не было гнева Его на царство, царя и сыновей его.

24 И даем вам знать, чтобы ни на кого из священников или левитов, певцов, привратников, нефинеев и служащих при этом доме Божием, не налагать ни подати, ни налога, ни пошлины.

25 Ты же, Ездра, по премудрости Бога твоего, которая в руке твоей, поставь правителей и судей, чтоб они судили весь народ за рекою, – всех знающих законы Бога твоего, а кто не знает, тех учите.

26 Кто же не будет исполнять закон Бога твоего и закон царя, над тем немедленно пусть производят суд, на смерть ли, или на изгнание, или на денежную пеню, или на заключение в темницу.

27 Благословен Господь, Бог отцов наших, вложивший в сердце царя – украсить дом Господень, который в Иерусалиме,